On December 9, 2025, AMA Foundation Executive Director Steve Haston attended a gala-style event in Carmel, Indiana, hosted by Indy Fuel, a local ECHL hockey team. This event provided ample networking opportunities, allowing Steve to share the AMA Foundation's mission with key leaders within the community. Steve stated the following about his time:
"On December 9, I had the privilege of representing the AMA Foundation at a gala-style event hosted by Indy Fuel at the beautiful Hotel Carmichael in Carmel, Indiana. The invitation came as a direct result of the relationships we have been building in our community, particularly through our partnership with IKEA this past summer, where we provided the AMA Model Aviation Experience Sponsored by Wing. That collaboration not only introduced countless families to model aviation in a fun, hands-on way, but it also demonstrated how creative partnerships can amplify our mission well beyond the flying field. Seeing those efforts come full circle through this invitation was a powerful reminder that when we show up for our partners, they show up for us.
"Throughout this event, I had the opportunity to connect with key leaders from the Indy Fuel organization, including the team's owners, the director of marketing and engagement, the director of merchandising, and the director of partnerships. Our conversations were energetic, forward-looking, and centered on how we can bring model aviation into the heart of the Indy Fuel fan experience. One especially exciting concept is an in-arena air show during a game night—an opportunity to demonstrate the precision, excitement, and innovation of model aviation in front of thousands of fans. I was also able to reconnect with our partners from IKEA, reinforcing the idea that long-term, mission-driven relationships are built through consistent, authentic engagement.
"Partnerships like these are more than feel-good stories; they are a direct part of the AMA Foundation's strategic pathway to introduce model aviation to the masses. An air show in a professional hockey arena, complemented by interactive experiences like simulators or hands-on displays, can turn casual spectators into curious learners and, ultimately, new members of our model aviation community. Families who may never have visited a flying field or known where to start will see that model aviation is accessible, educational, and exciting for all ages. By aligning with organizations that already draw large, diverse audiences, we extend the reach of AMA and help spark curiosity in the next generation of aviators, engineers, and innovators.
"As the AMA Foundation continues to cultivate these relationships, we are building a future where model aviation is visible, valued, and integrated into community life in new and creative ways. This end-of-year season is an important time for us to sustain that momentum. The more support we receive, the more we can invest in experiences that inspire—whether that is an arena air show, a youth program, a scholarship, or a new educational partnership. For those who believe in the power of model aviation to educate, connect, and uplift, we invite you to stand with us by supporting the AMA Foundation. Together, we can ensure that the excitement we share for model aviation is front and center in all of our flying fields and communities across the country."
